George Edward (Edwin) DEAKIN (1864-1940)

George Edward (Edwin) DEAKIN was the son of  Samuel Pownall DEAKIN and Sarah Ann SIDEBOTTOM, born in 1864, Wigan, Lancashire.

In the 1881 Census, George is recorded as a ‘Post Man’, living at 13 Wignall Street, Wigan, with his mother, Sarah and his 7 brothers and sisters.

In 1885, George married Frances DEAN (1865-1926) in Wigan Registry Office. George and Frances (known as Fanny) lived at 2 Norfolk Street, Wigan and in the 1901 Census George’s occupation is listed as ‘Cashier (Jam Works)’ at the Deakin’s Eclipse Preserve Works in Bradford Place. Their niece, Hannah PRESCOTT, who also worked at Deakin’s as a ‘Finisher’ was living with George and Fanny at the time.

George was a major shareholder in W.R. Deakin Ltd (appointed director of the company in 1903) and worked as a ‘Traveller’ (company travelling salesman). By 1904 George and Fanny had moved to Ivy Cottage, Norfolk Street, Gidlow, Wigan, and they later moved to Toddington, Gloucestershire, for a few years while George managed Deakin’s Canning Factory at Naunton Field, Toddington.

George retired as a director of W.R. Deakin Ltd in 1914. In his retirement, George wrote poems and a number of songs. His song The Bride Immortal was published by Peter Derek Limited in 1937, priced 2s. The Australian contralto singer, Mme Clara Serena (1890-1972), sang the song for the first time in December 1936 to much acclaim at Queen’s Hall, Wigan.

Both George and Fanny were associated with Wigan Trinity Presbyterian Church, where George was an Elder for many years.

Following failing health for a number of months, Fanny died, aged 62, in December 1926 at home at Ivy Cottage and her obituary appeared in the Wigan Observer on 1st January 1927. Her funeral was held at home, conducted by Rev. W.A. Thomson, Trinity Presbyterian Church, on Monday 3rd January 1927. The chief mourners were:

• George E. Deakin & Annie (Hannah Prescott)
• Mrs Williamson
• Mrs Cook
• Mr & Mrs John Taylor
• Mrs Edwin Large
• The Mayor and Mayoress
• Mr & Mrs William Foster
• Mr & Mrs Webster
• Mr W.D. Williamson
• Mr J. Swift
• Mr J. Sumner
• Mr Samuel W. Deakin
• Mr Robert F. Alstead
• Mr Norman Bannister
• Mr D Shaw
• Mrs Holding

Floral tributes were received from:

• Mr & Mrs John B. Deakin (Bert & Flo)
• Lizzie, John, George, Tom, Emma & Ted
• Mr & Mrs W. Foster & Majorie Foster (Minnie, Willie & Marjorie)
• Harriet, Albert, Minnie & George
• Mr & Mrs S.W. Deakin
• The Hindley Family, Maggie & Jack

George died, aged 75, on 26th February 1940 and is buried in Plot C446 in Wigan Cemetery (Lower Ince) with his wife Frances.